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How can I reach out to people who differ from me in habits, faith, culture, or race?
Remember Christianity is about turning "outsiders" into insiders.
Colossians 4:2-6
Have you ever felt like an outsider? Maybe it's the first day of school, and you're more nervous than your child. You wonder what the other parents will be like. Or you're learning how to play tennis—and everybody seems to know more about the sport than you. Or you visit a different church and have a difficult time following their order of service (but the others seem to be enjoying it).
Being "on the outside" is rarely fun—and this is particularly true of us women, since God has created us to be relational. But once you've been an outsider, you have more empathy for others who feel as you have. In this passage, Paul gives some tips for how to reach out to those who differ from you:
1. Keep alert and be thankful for opportunities (4:2)
2. Pray that God will make a way (4:3)
3. Make your message as clear as possible (4:4)
4. Make good use of the time (4:5)
5. Be pleasant and hold their interest (4:6)
And, above all, Paul says that you need to be open to telling others about God and ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions. Does this mean you need to know all the answers to share your faith? No. You just need to be ready and willing to reach out. (See also John 4:4-26; Romans 3:21-31; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Galatians 3:26-29.)
Good Words to Remember:
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:6
Today's Challenge:
Are you prepared to share your faith? If not, why not take an evangelism class at your local church?
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.
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